FOREWORD

Dear Readers,

It’s now been a full year since the COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives in ways we never anticipated—and we’re still here! Despite the immense obstacles that come with a fully online school year, the hard work of our wonderful contributors and editors have made this issue possible. Even though this volume focuses on the end of a point in time — the perils of 2020 have certainly made it feel like “the end” as we know it — there’s solace in the fact that this is only the beginning. As we unearth how deep systemic oppression in this country goes and grapple with life-changing threats like climate change, it’s more important than ever that creatives stand up for what they believe in and get important messages out into a world that direly needs them. At times like this, it is an absolute necessity to uplift our community and we’re pleased to be able to use our platform for our Richmond-based artists to spread their work.

“The End” is a scary thought. It’s also one associated with relief and closure. Finding peace with change is something hard to do as humans but it takes maturity and life experiences to accomplish. From the leap of faith that is graduating high school or college, to the painful last goodbyes said to a loved one, the end is terrifying. It’s the unknown but also the promise of an uncertain yet welcome fresh beginning. This issue lives in that mysterious unknown and delves into the nuances of coping with the end and celebrating the beginning. We truly hope you enjoy these comics as much as we enjoyed making them.

- Lauren Johnson